Department of Design

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Ziddi Msangi (Chairperson, Fall 2014) graphic design

Spencer Ladd (Chairperson, Spring 2015) graphic design, typography, photography

Scott Ahrens digital media, graphic design, virtual reality

Jean-Francois Allaux illustration

Michelle Bowers visual language, typography

David Chapman graphic design

Victoria Crayhon photography

James Edwards illustration

Jan Fairbairn graphic design, typography

Laura Franz typography, graphic design, web typography

Yoon Soo Lee graphic design

Bruce Maddocks illustration

Sarah Malakoff photography

Mark Millstein digital media

Michael Swartz 2D animation, 3D animation

Shawn Towne digital media, web & interaction design

Janine Wong graphic design, typography, book arts

The department offers a BFA in Visual Design. In this major, students pursue work in a variety of options: Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration and Photography.

Admission to specific options requires submission of a portfolio.

All transfer students who wish to be admitted to courses marked with a “*” above the sophomore level must bring a portfolio to transfer orientation. Acceptance into advanced courses is rare, not automatic.

Computer Requirements

The Department of Design requires all Design students entering the Sophomore year to have a MacBook Pro laptop Computer. For specifications, go to: Design.

Learning Outcomes

The program learning objectives listed below are learned and evaluated through course-based learning objectives and assignments that are available in the syllabus of each course. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements in Design, students will be able to:

Identify and properly apply the elements and principles of design when visually communicating information and ideas;
Describe the history of their field, theoretical framework of their field, and contemporary work being done in their field;
Develop and produce relevant projects using various media and technologies — both traditional and contemporary — appropriate to their field;
Perform a useful critical analysis of communication, form, and concept;
Create work with an appropriate relationship between form, content, and context when visually communicating information and ideas;
Solve formal, conceptual, and communication problems through the process of self-directed trial, error, and refinement;
Assess and present their research, process, and outcome in an articulate manner;
Present themselves in a professional manner appropriate to their field of study.